Kale

[Meg]

Would I have to cover these to stop birds attacking them. How do you cook it. Are they worth growing. The books says they are hardy and little bother to grow> Help please!! Oh and where would I buy the seed. Ta

[Meg]

[sandersj89]

Kale comes in all sorts of types and sizes.

I grow 2 types, Curly Kale and Black Kale.

Sow in spring and then transplant to final postion when big enough to handle.

I then cover from day one with netting. This stops both birds and butterflies attacking them.

They can be bothered why white fly but this can be dealt with by spraying, organic if you that way inclined as well.

They are very tough and will stand right through the winter.

Cooking wise I either simply steam it or braise it in a touch of butter.

Seeds from pretty much any seed merchant. You often get 100's of seed in a packet so they will last a few years.

HTH

Jerry

[Truffle]

I absolutely love kale. It is well worth growing, we pick it almost twice a week through the winter (although we do have about 40 plants!).

Were growing:

Curly leaf kale
Russian Kale
Hungry gap kale
Cottagers kale

The Russian kale is by far the tastiest, really sweet and succulent- can easily eat it raw. The cottagers kale is really productive and the curly kale looks great. I've not tried the hungry gap kale yet as I'm waiting to harvest the new spring shoots.

I've never had probelms with pigeons so I cant advise eon that front. Anyway, I hope the info was useful!

Truffle

[grawrc]

I'm planting dwark green curled kale for the first time this year. It looks gorgeous and is full of healthy stuff..

[supersprout]

January's Grow your Own mag - or Kitchen Garden mag - had a special feature on kale which showed succession planting of many varieties. Sorry, had a scrummage and can't find it  :-[, is anyone more organised to give a more definite reference?

[Meg]

Ta will definetly give it a go.

[supersprout]

It was in February's Kitchen Garden magazine - special feature on Kale! 8)

[Mrs Ava]

Pigeons don't bother mind, but the white fly and catterpillas can be a pest!  I grow cavalo nero and russian, and wouldn't be without them.  Excellent winter greens and lovely sweet spring shoots to come!

[amphibian]

Kale is lovely, the deer ate all mine though.  :'(

[supersprout]

Cor, kale-fed venison on the table then?  ::)

[Debs]

I have never grown nor eaten kale.

Is it similar in taste to any other veg?

Debs

[grawrc]

Me neither Debs, but it looks great and I belive is vitamin rich so I'm giving it a go.

[Rosyred]

To me its similar to savoy Cabbage) but doesn't take long to cook if young. I had mine with butter. lemon juice and sesame seeds.

[supersprout]

I enjoy black Italian kale (cavalo nero) lightly boiled, drained, pounded (or whizzed) with olive oil, salt, and garlic, poured onto pasta and sprinkled with Parmesan and black pepper.

[Debs]

yum...

sounds like another good veg to grow.

Must get some seeds :)

[digswell]

It's great! Wilted with seasame seeds and chopped garlic, but take the ribs out of the leaves first!

Am growing a short green variety and a red one this year, white fly loves it!